Collapsible Lighting Fixture

ABSTRACT

The present invention is a collapsible lighting fixture comprising a central support member having a first end engaged with abase and a second end. The lighting fixture further comprises an arm assembly removably engaged with the central support member. The arm assembly comprises eight arm members. The arm assembly is moveable between an open and a closed or collapsed position. In the open position, the first, second, third, and fourth arm members are substantially perpendicular to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth arm members. In the closed position, the first, second, third, and fourth arm members are substantially less than perpendicular to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth arm members. The lighting fixture further comprises a plurality of light holders removably engaged with the upper end of the central support member and arm members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser.No. 61/715,953 filed on Oct. 19, 2012, now pending, which is herebyincorporated into this specification by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Lighting fixtures such as menorahs are widely used by people tocelebrate the Jewish holiday of Chanukah. Small menorahs are commonlyused in homes while larger menorahs are used public venues such asshopping malls or town squares. Conventional large size menorahs aredifficult to transport in vehicles such as cars insomuch as the size ofthe menorah can range from a few feet to ten or more feet. Moreover,conventional large size menorahs are made from aluminum or steel and assuch are heavy and cumbersome to transport.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One object of the present invention is to provide a lighting fixture inthe form of a large size menorah that can be easily stored, transported,assembled, and disassembled.

The present invention is a collapsible lighting fixture comprising acentral support member engaged with a base. The lighting fixture furthercomprises an arm assembly removably engaged with the central supportmember. The arm assembly comprises eight arm members. The arm assemblyis moveable between open and closed or collapsed positions. In the openposition, the first, second, third, and fourth arm members aresubstantially perpendicular to the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth armmembers. In the closed position, the first, second, third, and fourtharm members are substantially less than perpendicular to the fifth,sixth, seventh, and eighth arm members. The lighting fixture furthercomprises a plurality of light holders removably engaged with the upperend of the central support member and arm members. Unlike conventionaldevices, the collapsible lighting fixture of the present invention canbe easily stored, transported, assembled and dissembled. The collapsiblelighting fixture is made from simple and widely available parts that canbe procured and fabricated at a low cost. Still further, the ability ofthe arm assembly to be collapsed allows a greater number of lightingfixtures to be shipped in a single container thereby reducing shippingand freight costs.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following description of the invention will be further understoodwith reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a collapsible lighting fixtureaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the collapsible lighting fixture showing acentral support member removably attached to a base, and a collapsiblearm assembly removably attached to the central support member;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the arm assembly shown in the open position;

FIG. 4 is a rear view of the arm assembly shown in the open position;

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the arm assembly shown in theclosed or collapsed position;

FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the arm assembly shown in theclosed or collapsed position;

FIG. 7 is a rear exploded view of the arm assembly;

FIG. 8 is a cross section view showing a first arm member of the armassembly pivotally engaged with a seventh arm member of the arm assemblyby a fastener; and

FIG. 9 is a front cut-away view of the light holders.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a collapsible lightingfixture 10 that can be easily transported, assembled, and disassembled.In the embodiment shown, lighting fixture 10 is a large size Rambanstyle menorah that may be used indoors and/or outdoors. Lighting fixture10 generally comprises a central support member 16 securely andremovably engaged with a base 12; an arm assembly 28 removably engagedwith central support member 16; a light holder 234 removably engagedwith central support member 16; and light holders 214, 220, 222, 224,226, 228, 230 and 232 removably engaged with arm assembly 28. Armassembly 28 can be easily opened or closed (collapsed) in accordionfashion. Unlike conventional devices, lighting fixture 10 allows a largesize Ramban style menorah to be easily stored, transported, assembled,and dissembled. Lighting fixture 10 is made from simple and widelyavailable parts that can be procured and fabricated at a low cost.Moreover, the ability of arm assembly 28 to be collapsed allows asignificant number of lighting fixtures 10 to be shipped in a singlecontainer thereby reducing shipping and freight costs.

Referring to FIG. 2, base 12 comprises a plurality of legs 14. Centralsupport member 16 comprises a lower end 18 securely and removablyattached to legs 14 of base 12 by conventional removable fastening meanssuch as bolts and wing nuts (not shown) passing through clearance holes(not shown) in legs 14 and lower end 18. Central support member 16further comprises an upper end 20 having a clearance hole 26 adapted toremovably receive ninth light holder 234 (FIG. 1). Central supportmember 16 further comprises clearance holes 22 and 24 adapted to receivefasteners 174 and 182, respectively, to securely and removably connectarm assembly 28 to central support member 16. Clearance holes 22 and 24are spaced such that arm assembly 28 must be connected to centralsupport member 16 in an open position (to be described). In theembodiment shown, each of fasteners 174 and 182 comprise a bolt 176, awasher 178, and a wing nut 180 which are widely available. In theembodiment shown, legs 14 of base 12 and central support member 16 aremade from 0.75 inch by 2.5 inch (1×3 inch) wood planks. Central supportmember 16 has a length of six (6) feet and legs 14 are of sufficientlength to provide adequate stability. Base 12 and central support member16 may be made from a variety of materials such as aluminum, plastic orsteel.

Referring to FIGS. 3-6, arm assembly 28 is shown removed from centralsupport member 16. Arm member 28 may be moved or pivoted between an openposition (FIGS. 3 and 4) and a closed or collapsed position (FIGS. 5 and6) by fasteners 184, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208, 210and 212 in an accordion fashion. Fastener 182 (FIG. 6) may be attachedto prevent arm assembly 28 from opening during transport and/or storage.Arm assembly 28 generally comprises a first arm member 30, a second armmember 48, a third arm member 66, a fourth arm member 84, a fifth armmember 102, a sixth arm member 120, a seventh arm member 138, and aneighth arm member 156. As best shown by FIG. 3, first arm member 30comprises first and second ends 32 and 34, and a forty-five degreebeveled edge 36 formed at second end 34. Beveled edge 36 is provided sothat in the open position, beveled edge 36 is substantially horizontal.As best shown by FIG. 5, first arm member 30 further comprises aclearance hole 46 formed at second end 34 that is adapted to removablyreceive first light holder 214. Second arm member 48 comprises first andsecond ends 50 and 52, and a forty-five degree beveled edge 54 formed atsecond end 52. Beveled edge 54 is provided so that in the open position,beveled edge 54 is substantially horizontal. Second arm member 48further comprises a clearance hole 64 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 52that is adapted to removably receive second light holder 220. Third armmember 66 comprises first and second ends 68 and 70, and a forty-fivedegree beveled edge 72 formed at second end 70. Beveled edge 72 isprovided so that in the open position, beveled edge 72 is substantiallyhorizontal. Third arm member 66 further comprises a clearance hole 82(FIG. 5) formed at second end 70 that is adapted to removably receivethird light holder 222. Fourth arm member 84 comprises first and secondends 86 and 88, and a beveled edge 90 formed at second end 88. Bevelededge 90 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge 90 issubstantially horizontal. Fourth arm member 84 further comprises aclearance hole 100 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 88 that is adapted toremovably receive fourth light holder 224. As best shown by FIG. 4,fifth arm member 102 comprises first and second ends 104 and 106, and abeveled edge 108 formed at second end 106. Beveled edge 108 is providedso that in the open position, beveled edge 108 is substantiallyhorizontal. Fifth arm member 102 further comprises a clearance hole 118(FIG. 5) formed at second end 106 that is adapted to removably receivefifth light holder 226. Sixth arm member 120 comprises first and secondends 122 and 124, and a beveled edge 126 formed at second end 124.Beveled edge 126 is provided so that in the open position, beveled edge126 is substantially horizontal. Sixth arm member 120 further comprisesa clearance hole 136 (FIG. 5) formed at second end 124 that is adaptedto removably receive sixth light holder 228. Seventh arm member 138comprises first and second ends 140 and 142, and a beveled edge 144formed at second end 142. Beveled edge 144 is provided so that in theopen position, beveled edge 144 is substantially horizontal. Seventh armmember 138 further comprises a clearance hole 154 (FIG. 5) formed atsecond end 142 that is adapted to removably receive seventh light holder230. Eighth arm member 156 comprises first and second ends 158 and 160,and a beveled edge 162 formed at second end 160. Beveled edge 162 isprovided so that in the open position, beveled edge 162 is substantiallyhorizontal. Eighth arm member 156 further comprises a clearance hole 172(FIG. 5) formed at second end 160 that is adapted to removably receiveeighth light holder 232. Arm members 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and156 may be fabricated from a variety of different sizes and materialssuch as wood, aluminum, plastic or steel. In the embodiment shown, eachof arm members 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 are made from 0.75inch by 2.5 inch (1×3 inch) wood planks. The spacing “S” between armmembers 30 and 48; arm members 66 and 48; arm members 84 and 66; armmembers 102 and 120; arm members 120 and 138; and arm members 138 and156 were calculated to be approximately 2.5 times the actual plankwidth. In the embodiment shown, arm spacing “S” is equal to 2.5×2.5inches or 6.25 inches. Arm spacing S was chosen to be 6.0 inches for allsubsequent calculations. The factor 2.5 is considered approximate as itmay vary according to aesthetic taste in the following manner. Valuesmuch less than 2.5 tend to give the menorah a feel of solid block ofwood. Values greater than 2.5 tend to give the menorah an open, lesssubstantial feel. Once the value S is decided (6.0 inches in theembodiment shown) the lengths of the 8 menorah arm members 30, 48, 66,84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 are calculated also according to taste. Inthe embodiment shown, fourth and fifth arm members 84 and 102 areapproximately 5×S in length or thirty (30) inches. Third and sixth armmembers 66 and 120 are next calculated to be exactly S inches longerthan whatever was chosen for the fourth and fifth arm members 84 and102, in this case they become thirty-six (36) inches each. Second andseventh arm members 48 and 138 are exactly S inches longer than thirdand sixth arm members 66 and 120 or forty-two (42) inches in theembodiment shown. First and eighth arm members 30 and 156 are thencalculated to be S inches longer than second and seventh arm members 48and 138 or forty-eight (48) inches in the embodiment shown.

Referring to FIG. 7, arm members 30, 48, 66, and 84 are pivotallyengaged with arm members 102, 120, 138, and 156 between the openposition (FIGS. 3 and 4) and the closed or collapsed position (FIGS. 5and 6) by fasteners 184, 192, 194, 196, 198, 200, 202, 204, 206, 208,210 and 212.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 furthercomprises a clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42 and 44. Clearance hole 38is adapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 174 (FIG. 2). Clearance hole38 and holes 40, 42, and 44 are equally spaced from each other so thatarm members 102, 120, 138, and 156 can be pivoted to the open position(FIGS. 3 and 4) relative to arm members 30, 48, 66, and 84, namely,substantially forty-five (45) degrees to the vertical. In the embodimentshown, hole 40 is spaced a distance S or six (6) inches from clearancehole 38; hole 42 is spaced a distance S or six (6) inches from hole 40;and hole 44 is spaced a distance S or six (6) inches from hole 42.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 furthercomprises holes 56, 58, and 60. Holes 56, 58, and 60 are spaced the samedistance from first end 50 of second arm member 48 as holes 38, 42, and44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 furthercomprises holes 74, 76, and 78. Holes 74, 76, and 78 are spaced the samedistance from first end 68 of third arm member 66 as holes 38, 40, and44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 furthercomprises holes 92, 94, and 96, and a clearance hole 98. Clearance hole98 is adapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 182 (FIG. 2). Holes 92,94, and 96 and clearance hole 92 are spaced the same distance from firstend 86 of fourth arm member 84 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42,and 44 are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, fifth arm member 102 furthercomprises clearance holes 110, 112, 114, and 116. Clearance hole 116 isadapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 182 (FIG. 3). Clearance holes110, 112, 114, and 116 are spaced the same distance from first end 104of fifth arm member 102 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42, and 44are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, sixth arm member 120 furthercomprises clearance holes 128, 130, and 132. Clearance holes 128, 130,and 132 are spaced the same distance from first end 122 of sixth armmember 120 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40 and 44 are from first end32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, seventh arm member 138 furthercomprises clearance holes 146, 148, and 150. Clearance holes 146, 148,and 150 are spaced the same distance from first end 140 of seventh armmember 138 as clearance hole 38 and holes 42 and 44 are from first end32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, eighth arm member 156 furthercomprises clearance holes 164, 166, 168, and 170. Clearance hole 164 isadapted to receive bolt 176 of fastener 174 (FIG. 3). Clearance holes164, 166, 168, and 170 are spaced the same distance from first end 158of eighth arm member 156 as clearance hole 38 and holes 40, 42, and 44are from first end 32 of first arm member 30.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 is pivotallyengaged with seventh arm member 138 by fastener 184. Fastener 184comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 mounted inhole 40 of first arm member 30. As best shown by FIG. 8, bolt 186 offastener 184 passes through clearance hole 146 of seventh arm member 138and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 40 of first armmember 30. Washer 188 is disposed between bolt 186 and seventh armmember 138.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 is alsopivotally engaged with sixth arm member 120 by fastener 192. Fastener192 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 42 of first arm member 30. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 192 passes through clearance hole 128 of sixthmember 120 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 42 offirst arm member 30. Washer 188 of fastener 192 is disposed between bolt186 and sixth arm member 120.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, first arm member 30 is alsopivotally engaged with fifth arm member 102 by fastener 194. Fastener194 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 44 of first arm member 30. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 194 passes through clearance hole 110 of fiftharm member 102 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole44 of first arm member 30. Washer 188 of fastener 194 is disposedbetween bolt 186 and fifth arm member 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 is pivotallyengaged with eighth arm member 156 by fastener 196. Fastener 196comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attachedwithin hole 56 of second arm member 48. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt186 of fastener 196 passes through clearance hole 166 of eighth armmember 156 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 56 ofsecond arm member 48. Washer 188 of fastener 196 is disposed betweenbolt 186 and eighth arm member 156.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 is alsopivotally engaged with sixth arm member 120 by fastener 198. Fastener198 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 58 of second arm member 48. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 198 passes through clearance hole 130 of sixtharm member 120 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole58 of second arm member 48. Washer 188 of fastener 198 is disposedbetween bolt 186 and sixth arm member 120.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, second arm member 48 is alsopivotally engaged with fifth arm member 102 by fastener 200. Fastener200 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 60 of second arm member 48. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 200 passes through clearance hole 112 of fiftharm member 102 and engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 60of second arm member 48. Washer 188 of fastener 196 is disposed betweenbolt 186 and fifth arm member 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 is pivotallyengaged with eighth arm member 156 by fastener 202. Fastener 202comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attachedwithin hole 74 of third arm member 66. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt186 of fastener 202 passes through clearance hole 168 of eighth armmember 156 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 74 ofthird arm member 66. Washer 188 of fastener 202 is disposed between bolt186 and eighth arm member 156.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 is alsopivotally engaged with seventh arm member 138 by fastener 204. Fastener204 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 76 of third arm member 66. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 204 passes through clearance hole 148 ofseventh arm member 138 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mountedin hole 76 of third arm member 66. Washer 188 of fastener 202 isdisposed between bolt 186 and seventh arm member 138.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, third arm member 66 is alsopivotally engaged with fifth arm member 102 by fastener 206. Fastener206 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 78 of third arm member 66. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 206 passes through clearance hole 114 of fiftharm member 102 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole78 of third arm member 66. Washer 188 of fastener 206 is disposedbetween bolt 186 and fifth arm member 102.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 is pivotallyengaged with eighth arm member 156 by fastener 208. Fastener 208comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190 attachedwithin hole 92 of fourth arm member 84. Like fastener 184 (FIG. 8), bolt186 of fastener 208 passes through clearance hole 170 of eighth armmember 156 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole 92 offourth arm member 84. Washer 188 of fastener 208 is disposed betweenbolt 186 and eighth arm member 156.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 is alsopivotally engaged with seventh arm member 138 by fastener 210. Fastener208 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 94 of fourth arm member 84. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 210 passes through clearance hole 150 ofseventh arm member 138 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mountedin hole 94 of fourth arm member 84. Washer 188 of fastener 210 isdisposed between bolt 186 and seventh arm member 138.

With continued reference to FIG. 7, fourth arm member 84 is alsopivotally engaged with sixth arm member 120 by fastener 212. Fastener208 comprises a bolt 186, a washer 188, and a threaded anchor 190attached within hole 96 of fourth arm member 84. Like fastener 184 (FIG.8), bolt 186 of fastener 212 passes through clearance hole 132 of sixtharm member 120 and is engaged with threaded anchor 190 mounted in hole96 of fourth arm member 84. Washer 188 of fastener 212 is disposedbetween bolt 186 and sixth arm member 120.

Referring back to FIGS. 2 and 3, in the open position, first arm member30 is substantially perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth armmember 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In theopen position, second arm member 48 is substantially perpendicular tofifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, andeighth arm member 156. In the open position, third arm member 66 issubstantially perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the openposition, fourth arm member 84 is substantially perpendicular to fiftharm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eightharm member 156. The distance between clearance holes 22 and 24 (FIG. 2)so that arm assembly 28 is mounted to central support member 16 with armmembers 30, 48, 66, 84, 102, 120, 138, and 156 in the open position isbased upon the arm spacing S between clearance hole 38 and hole 40 whichis common to all other holes, and can be calculated by the followingequation: distance between holes 22 and 24=S×3×square root of 2. In theembodiment shown, S is equal to six (6) inches and the square root of 2is equal to 1.414 if a calculator is not handy. As such, the distancebetween holes 22 and 24 is about 25.5 inches.

Referring back to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the closed position, first armmember 30 is substantially less than perpendicular to fifth arm member102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member156. In the closed position, second arm member 48 is substantially lessthan perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120,seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156. In the closedposition, third arm member 66 is substantially less than perpendicularto fifth arm member 102, sixth arm member 120, seventh arm member 138,and eighth arm member 156. In the closed position, fourth arm member 84is substantially less than perpendicular to fifth arm member 102, sixtharm member 120, seventh arm member 138, and eighth arm member 156.

Referring to FIG. 9, each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228,230, 232, and 234 comprise a cup portion 216 and a stem portion 218.Stem portion 218 of first light holder 214 removably engages or dropsinto clearance hole 46 disposed at second end 34 of first arm member 30.Stem portion 218 of second light holder 220 removably engages with ordrops into clearance hole 64 disposed at second end 52 of second armmember 48. Stem portion 218 of third light holder 222 removably engageswith or drops into clearance hole 82 disposed at second end 70 of thirdarm member 66. Stem portion 218 of fourth light holder 224 removablyengages with or drops into clearance hole 100 disposed at second end 88of fourth arm member 84. Stem portion 218 of fifth light holder 226removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 118 disposed atsecond end 106 of fifth arm member 102. Stem portion 218 of sixth lightholder 228 removably engages with or drops into clearance hole 136disposed at second end 124 of sixth arm member 120. Stem portion 218 ofseventh light holder 230 removably engages with or drops into clearancehole 154 disposed at second end 142 of seventh arm member 138. Stemportion 218 of eighth light holder 232 removably engages with or dropsinto clearance hole 172 disposed at second end 160 of eighth arm member156. Stem portion 218 of ninth light holder 234 removably engages withor drops into clearance hole 26 disposed at upper end 20 of centralsupport member 16. Each cup portion of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224,226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 is adapted to receive a light source such asa candle. Each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232,and 234 is made from glass. In other embodiments, each of light holders214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230, 232, and 234 may be an electricallight socket adapted to receive an incandescent light bulb, a compactfluorescent light (CFL) bulb, a light emitting diode (LED) light bulb orany other conventional or futurely developed light source. Electricalwiring may be provided from a power source such as an electrical outletor battery to each of light holders 214, 220, 222, 224, 226, 228, 230,232, and 234.

Lighting fixture 10 has been described with reference to arm assembly 28having eight arm members (4×4 Ramban style menorah). Lighting fixture 10has a height of about 5.50 feet measured from base 12 to second end 34of first arm member 30. In the open position, lighting fixture 10 has awidth or span of about 5.65 feet measured from second end 34 of firstarm member 30 to said second end 160 of eighth arm member 156. In otherembodiments of the present invention, arm assembly 28 may have adifferent number of arm members such as four arm members (a 2×2 Rambanstyle menorah) or six arm members (3×3 Ramban style menorah) and/ordifferent heights and widths.

Unlike conventional devices, lighting fixture 10 allows a large sizeRamban style menorah to be easily stored, transported, assembled anddissembled. Lighting fixture 10 is made from simple parts that can beprocured and fabricated at a low cost. The ability of lighting fixture10 to be collapsed allows a significant number of additional units to beshipped around the world in a single container thereby drasticallysaving shipping costs.

While particular embodiments of the invention have been shown anddescribed, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that changesand modifications may be made without departing from the scope of theclaimed invention.

What is claimed:
 1. A lighting fixture comprising: a base; a centralsupport member engaged with said base; an arm assembly removably engagedwith said central support member; said arm assembly comprises a firstarm member, a second arm member, a third arm member, a fourth armmember, a fifth arm member, a sixth arm member, a seventh arm member,and an eighth arm member; each of said arm members comprise first andsecond ends; said arm assembly is moveable between open and closedpositions; in said open position said first arm member is substantiallyperpendicular to said eighth arm member; in said closed position saidfirst arm member is substantially less than perpendicular to said eightharm member; and a first light holder engaged with said second end ofsaid first arm member.
 2. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein saidfourth and fifth arm members of said arm assembly are removably engagedwith said central support member.
 3. The lighting fixture of claim 2,wherein said first and eighth arm members of said arm assembly areremovably engaged with said central support member.
 4. The lightingfixture of claim 3, wherein said first arm member is pivotally engagedwith said fifth arm member; said first arm member is pivotally engagedwith said sixth arm member; and said first arm member is pivotallyengaged with said seventh arm member.
 5. The lighting fixture of claim4, wherein said second arm member is pivotally engaged with said fiftharm member; said second arm member is pivotally engaged with said sixtharm member; and said second arm member is pivotally engaged with saideighth arm member.
 6. The lighting fixture of claim 5, wherein saidthird arm member is pivotally engaged with said fifth arm member; saidthird arm member is pivotally engaged with said seventh arm member; andsaid third arm member is pivotally engaged with said eighth arm member.7. The lighting fixture of claim 6, wherein said fourth arm member ispivotally engaged with said sixth arm member; said fourth arm ispivotally engaged with said seventh arm member; and said fourth armmember is pivotally engaged with said eighth arm member.
 8. The lightingfixture of claim 7, further comprising a second light holder engagedwith said second end of said second arm member; a third light holderengaged with said second end of said third arm member; a fourth lightholder engaged with said second end of said fourth arm member; a fifthlight holder engaged with said second end of said fifth arm member; asixth light holder engaged with said second end of said sixth armmember; a seventh light holder engaged with said second end of saidseventh arm member; an eighth light holder engaged with said second endof said eighth arm member; and a ninth light holder engaged with anupper end of said central support member.
 9. The lighting fixture ofclaim 8, wherein said first light holder is removably engaged with saidsecond end of said first arm member; said second light holder isremovably engaged with said second end of said second arm member; saidthird light holder is removably engaged with said second end of saidthird arm member; said fourth light holder is removably engaged withsaid second end of said fourth arm member; said fifth light holder isremovably engaged with said second end of said fifth arm member; saidsixth light holder is removably engaged with said second end of saidsixth arm member; seventh light holder is removably engaged with saidsecond end of said seventh arm member; said eighth light holder isremovably engaged with said second end of said eighth arm member; andsaid ninth light holder is removably engaged with said upper end of saidcentral support member.
 10. The lighting device of claim 9, wherein eachof said light holders comprise a stem portion and a cup portion adaptedto receive a candle.
 11. The lighting device of claim 9, wherein each ofsaid light holders comprise an electrical socket adapted to receive anLED light.
 12. The lighting fixture of claim 1, wherein said centralsupport member is removably engaged with said base.
 13. The lightingfixture of claim 1, wherein said base is made of wood; said centralsupport member is made of wood; and said arm members are made from wood.14. A lighting fixture comprising: a base; a central support memberengaged with said base; an arm assembly removably engaged with saidcentral support member; said arm assembly comprises a first arm member,a second arm member, a third arm member, and a fourth arm member; eachof said arm members comprising first and second ends; said arm assemblyis moveable between open and closed positions; in said open positionsaid first and second arm members are substantially perpendicular tosaid third and fourth arm members, respectively; in said closed positionsaid first and second arm members are substantially less thanperpendicular to said third and fourth arm members, respectively; afirst light holder engaged with said second end of said first armmember; a second light holder engaged with said second end of saidsecond arm member; a third light holder engaged with said second end ofsaid third arm member; and a fourth light holder engaged with saidsecond end of said fourth arm member.
 15. The lighting fixture of claim14, wherein said second and third arm members of said arm assembly areremovably engaged with said central support member.
 16. The lightingfixture of claim 15, wherein said first and fourth arm members of saidarm assembly are removably engaged with said central support member. 17.A lighting fixture comprising: a base; a central support member engagedwith said base; an arm assembly removably engaged with said centralsupport member; said arm assembly comprises a first arm member, a secondarm member, a third arm member, a fourth arm member, a fifth arm member,and a sixth arm member; each of said arm members comprising first andsecond ends; said arm assembly is moveable between open and closedpositions; in said open position said first arm member is substantiallyperpendicular to said fourth, fifth and sixth arm members; said secondarm member is substantially perpendicular to said fourth, fifth andsixth arm members; and said third arm member is substantiallyperpendicular to said fourth, fifth and sixth arm members; in saidclosed position said first arm member is substantially less thanperpendicular to said fourth, fifth and sixth arm members; said secondarm member is substantially less than perpendicular to said fourth,fifth and sixth arm members; and said third arm member is substantiallyless than perpendicular to said fourth, fifth and sixth arm members; afirst light holder engaged with said second end of said first armmember; a second light holder engaged with said second end of saidsecond arm member; a third light holder engaged with said second end ofsaid third arm member; a fourth light holder engaged with said secondend of said fourth arm member; a fifth light holder engaged with saidsecond end of said fifth arm member; and a sixth light holder engagedwith said second end of said sixth arm member.
 18. The lighting fixtureof claim 17, wherein said third and fourth arm members of said armassembly are removably engaged with said central support member.
 19. Thelighting fixture of claim 18, wherein said first and sixth arm membersof said arm assembly are removably engaged with said central supportmember.